Few kids will buy and apple or an orange if they can have candy or chips instead. No kid NEEDS candy or chips for breakfast or lunch and giving them that choice is irresponsible and bad parenting or education. Unfortunately, in modern society nothing is as simple as that. People want choices and supply follows demand. If dozens of kids prefer candy to yogurt or fruit, someone will supply the candy.
This democratic approach is aimed at responsible, informed adults who can make calculated choices and know the pro's and cons of their decision. With kids, it can have disastrous results if they are not well-informed of the consequences of their decisions. Tempting kids during official school hours with unhealthy, sugary junk food is in direct contrast with any schools' obligatory responsibility to teach students about healthy living and diet. In this regard, there is little doubt that the average school meal vending machines encourage unhealthy eating habits.
A 2003 survey conducted at more than 200 schools in and around Washington revealed shocking statistics regarding the junk food sold via most vending machines. It was also argued that these junk-popping vending machines are money-making rackets and in direct competition with the goals of national school health food schemes and meal programs that are supported by the governments of most countries.
Teaching kids healthy eating habits and the advantages of a balanced lifestyle is primarily the responsibility of parents and/or guardians, but since so many parents nowadays work full-time, many of those responsibilities are passed on to schools. Social-economic factors and ignorance also play a major role. Children follow by example and if the role models in their life are ignorant or don't practice what they preach, the kids will follow suit.
Up to 80 percent of snacks consisted of candy, chips or sugar-laden confectioneries. Of the 9,723 total snack slots in vending machines that were surveyed, only 26 slots offered a fruit or vegetable. It was argued that vending machine trends do not only promote unhealthy eating habits, but also undermine all nutrition education that children receive in school or at home.
Studies have shown that most of the food sold at these privately owned kiosks have very little nutritional value and consist mostly of sweetened cool drinks, chips, candy, confectioneries and pies. Fruit, healthy fruit juices and even water or milk are rarely available. In many cases, schools stopped providing the latter due to a lack of interest. What kid would buy and apple if he/she can buy candy or chips?
In a profit-driven society ruled by supply and demand, kiosk owners will provide what sells best. Few kids will choose a healthy meal if they can get a few candy bars or decadent cakes and pies for the same price. Why give young children a choice and abuse their ignorance to make a calculated decision when it is obvious that it is detrimental to their health?
All educational institutions have a responsibility to educate and protect pupils and to lead by example. That education includes the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Therefore all schools have a responsibility and moral obligation to ensure that only healthy, nutritional food are sold on their premises.
This democratic approach is aimed at responsible, informed adults who can make calculated choices and know the pro's and cons of their decision. With kids, it can have disastrous results if they are not well-informed of the consequences of their decisions. Tempting kids during official school hours with unhealthy, sugary junk food is in direct contrast with any schools' obligatory responsibility to teach students about healthy living and diet. In this regard, there is little doubt that the average school meal vending machines encourage unhealthy eating habits.
A 2003 survey conducted at more than 200 schools in and around Washington revealed shocking statistics regarding the junk food sold via most vending machines. It was also argued that these junk-popping vending machines are money-making rackets and in direct competition with the goals of national school health food schemes and meal programs that are supported by the governments of most countries.
Teaching kids healthy eating habits and the advantages of a balanced lifestyle is primarily the responsibility of parents and/or guardians, but since so many parents nowadays work full-time, many of those responsibilities are passed on to schools. Social-economic factors and ignorance also play a major role. Children follow by example and if the role models in their life are ignorant or don't practice what they preach, the kids will follow suit.
Up to 80 percent of snacks consisted of candy, chips or sugar-laden confectioneries. Of the 9,723 total snack slots in vending machines that were surveyed, only 26 slots offered a fruit or vegetable. It was argued that vending machine trends do not only promote unhealthy eating habits, but also undermine all nutrition education that children receive in school or at home.
Studies have shown that most of the food sold at these privately owned kiosks have very little nutritional value and consist mostly of sweetened cool drinks, chips, candy, confectioneries and pies. Fruit, healthy fruit juices and even water or milk are rarely available. In many cases, schools stopped providing the latter due to a lack of interest. What kid would buy and apple if he/she can buy candy or chips?
In a profit-driven society ruled by supply and demand, kiosk owners will provide what sells best. Few kids will choose a healthy meal if they can get a few candy bars or decadent cakes and pies for the same price. Why give young children a choice and abuse their ignorance to make a calculated decision when it is obvious that it is detrimental to their health?
All educational institutions have a responsibility to educate and protect pupils and to lead by example. That education includes the importance of a healthy diet and lifestyle. Therefore all schools have a responsibility and moral obligation to ensure that only healthy, nutritional food are sold on their premises.
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